HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The city Department of Emergency Management is urging residents in Waialua and H\u0101le\u02bbiwa to prepare to evacuate as officials monitor rising water levels at Wahiaw\u0101 Dam.<\/p>\n
Emergency Management Director Randall Collins said the city is issuing a \u201cget ready to go\u201d notice because the situation remains uncertain and there is a risk of dam failure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe water level has risen and conditions remain uncertain,\u201d Collins said. \u201cA failure could send water downstream fast and lead to catastrophic flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins said the notice is being issued early \u201cout of an abundance of caution\u201d and residents should be prepared to leave on short notice.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are told to evacuate, leave at once,\u201d Collins said.<\/p>\n
View an interactive evacuation map here.<\/a><\/p>\n During a media briefing, Collins said the reservoir level was approaching 83 feet, with dam failure occurring at 90 feet.<\/p>\n He said evacuations take significant time to carry out.<\/p>\n \u201cIt takes us about three hours to get responders in place and conduct an evacuation,\u201d Collins said, adding that rainfall intensity and the potential for thunderstorms are key variables.<\/p>\n Officials said they are hopeful conditions do not reach the point of failure, but emphasized that action must happen earlier to ensure people can get out safely.<\/p>\n Collins encouraged anyone who needs extra time to evacuate \u2014 including k\u016bpuna, families with small children, people with disabilities, and anyone who needs help with transportation or medical equipment \u2014 to consider leaving now.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you need extra time, leave now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n DEM urged residents to have a plan to move quickly and to prepare supplies for at least three days, including:<\/p>\n Go-bag itemsMedicationsImportant documentsPhone chargersFood\/water and other essentialsPet supplies (keep pets with you)<\/p>\n Collins warned residents to stay off flooded roads and never drive through standing water.<\/p>\n Thunderstorms remain possible, he said, and rainfall rates can increase with little warning.<\/p>\n Collins said evacuation shelters were not close to full. The closest shelter had about 11 people at last report and has capacity for more.<\/p>\n The nearest shelters are located at Waialua High and Intermediate, George Fred Wright Wahiawa District Park, and Kahuku Elementary. View a full list of shelters here.<\/a> <\/p>\n Officials said updates will be provided as new information becomes available.<\/p>\n